How to Spot Clean a Weighted Blanket

There’s no better antidote for a stressful day than wrapping yourself in the soothing comfort of a weighted throw blanket. Whether you’re relaxing with your partner on the couch, sneaking in a midday nap or tucking yourself into bed, the blanket’s extra heft provides the perfect amount of pressure for on-demand relaxation. But like any other item that sees a lot of use, it probably picks up a fair number of small but unsightly stains. Food spills and your pet’s muddy prints can all leave your favorite relaxation tool looking a little worse for wear.

Luckily, the team at Gravity Blankets knows a thing or two about how to wash a weighted blanket — and how to spot clean a weighted blanket in particular. Read our guide below on how to spot clean a weighted blanket like a pro so you can get stubborn stains out and make it look as new as the day you brought it home.

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First, What Is Spot Cleaning?

So, what does it mean to “spot treat” a weighted blanket, exactly? Put simply, it means we’re only treating the stained part of the blanket by hand. Spot cleaning is usually the fastest, easiest and most effective way to remove a stain. It’s also easier on the blanket itself because you’re not unnecessarily subjecting it to a complete wash cycle, which can cause wear and tear over time. 

How Often Should I Wash My Weighted Blanket?

It depends on what your weighted blanket is made of and how often you’re using it. 

As with most blankets and comforters, you should aim to wash your weighted blanket insert at least four times a year. This will help prevent a buildup of dust mites, oil, sweat and bacteria.

The duvet cover, however, should be washed on a weekly basis. If you’re using a top sheet, you can probably get away with washing it every other week.

How to Spot Clean a Weighted Blanket

Ready to tackle tough stains? Here’s how to spot clean your weighted blanket.

 1. Address Stains Immediately 

If possible, try to deal with the stain while it’s still fresh. The less time the stain has to soak into the blanket — and the blanket insert itself — the easier it will be to remove.

Start with a clean paper towel and gently blot the stain. Be careful not to rub! Rubbing at the stain can make it spread around and damage the fabric.

2. Run the Stain Under Cold Water

Once you’ve absorbed as much of the stain as you can, pull the duvet cover away from the weighted blanket insert and run the stain under cold water. Take care to avoid making the stain seep elsewhere.

Make sure the water is cold! Cold water works great on sticky things and highly pigmented foods, like red wine and tomato sauce. On the other hand, hot water can set protein-based stains (think vomit and blood), making them all but impossible to get out.

3. Choose a Mild Detergent

If flushing the stain under water didn’t work, it’s time to bust out the spot cleaner. The stain remover you choose will depend on the type of stain. 

For food stains, give liquid dish soap a try. Mix one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of water. Dip a clean cloth into this solution and gently scrub at the stain. 

For tricky stains like blood, reach for an enzyme-based stain remover. Enzymatic cleaners contain bacterial enzymes that help break down proteins in the blood stain. Apply the stain remover, rub the sides of the fabric sides together and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. 

Be careful with oxidizing bleaches like hydrogen peroxide, which can cause permanent damage to fabrics such as rayon and polyester.

4. Gently Rinse Out the Stain Remover

Rinse out the stain remover by pulling the duvet cover away from the insert and running it under cold water once more. You can also remove the stain remover by rubbing the stained area with a wet rag.

5. Dry Your Weighted Blanket

Check to see if the stain is still visible. If it’s still there, repeat the process until it’s gone.

Once the stain is no longer visible, put the weighted blanket in a well-ventilated area to dry. If you’re eager to be reunited with your weighted blanket, you can also use a blow dryer to speed up the drying process.

Wrapping Up

And that’s it! We hope you found this step-by-step guide on how to spot clean a weighted blanket helpful. If you’re looking for more tips and advice on how to care for a weighted blanket, make sure you check out our blog. 

Thinking about getting yourself a new weighted blanket? Try a Gravity Weighted blanket today and see what everyone is raving about!

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